God Notions

Philippians 3:12

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

I shared very briefly in the “About” section of God Notions of a time when a young Muslim boy asked me to tell him about my Jesus. I have struggled with the guilt of this lost opportunity for years. I have asked for forgiveness and a second chance from God but there has not been any relief from my heart aching from the remembrance of this very important lost opportunity.

What I did learn from this experience is that I need to know what I believe and why I believe it. I need to be ready to offer an answer when asked about my Jesus. I need to know what I know and know why I believe it. I would like to say I have mastered this, but I won’t.

Regret is hard to get past and put behind. Last week I was talking with a friend and confiding my hurt and regret when he read the Philippians scripture to me. As he read those words from scripture, tears filled my eyes, and I felt for the first time the relief from the guilt the regret had been weighing on my heart and mind all these years.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, we press on toward the goal… the goal of knowing Christ and being like Christ. Putting aside the things that distract us from living an effective Christian life. We can let go of the past and walk/run toward the person God will help us to become. We don’t have to dwell on our past but focus on how we can grow in our knowledge and relationship with Him. Realizing and accepting the forgiveness we have and press on in faith and obedience.

Perhaps lack of obedience is the biggest reason in lack of faith resulting in regret. I do know Paul is right. We cannot give up. We press on in what faith and trust we have “to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of us.”

We strive to perfect our obedience and knowledge of the God who knows us and sees us. We can rest in the forgiveness and mercy of Christ Jesus even as we strain to press on.

Holy God,

You are incomparable. You are truth. You are just and merciful. There is none like you.

Jesus, please forgive us when we fail in the opportunities you give or when we fail in obedience because of fear or lack of knowledge or faith.

Thank you for sustaining us as we press on and grow into the person you desire us to be.